The 12 Character Archetypes and the Stranger Things Cast
Stranger Things, written and produced by the Duffer Brothers, is a Netflix drama that just premiered Part One of its fourth season in production. The series has captivated millions of fans since its inception in 2016 with its horror sci-fi themes and super-accurate portrayal of the 1980’s. There are dozens of 1980’s pop culture references sprinkled throughout each episode, which delights those of us who are fans of the movies, music and TV shows of that era.
The series has also won a number of awards over the years, including the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. It’s clear that the Duffer Brothers were quite conscientious of every character they crafted and how they related to one another. One of the better-known tools of the trade when writing fiction is using character archetypes. Below we analyze the 12 main adolescent characters in the story and which archetype we think the Duffer Brothers has in mind when writing the characters.
Mike – The Lover
No one cares for their friends as much as Mike. Probably the most sensitive and sentimental member of the group, he develops an increased closeness to Will in Season 2 and intense romantic relationship with Eleven in Season 3. He also had a tendency to value emotions over reason, which can lead to rash and sometimes poor decisions that he makes with his heart instead of his mind.
Eleven – The Magician
It’s probably obvious as to why Eleven fits this archetype. Eleven may not wield magic per se, but her psychokinetic powers could definitely be described as mystical in the sense that no one in the group really knows where they came from, or why she has them (including Eleven herself). Her origins are shrouded in mystery and her demeanor has an exotic, foreign feel to it, much like a magician.
Dustin – The Creator
Dustin has a knack for thinking of unconventional solutions to the group’s problems. Not only is he really smart, but he’s also incredibly clever. He is one of the primary characters who move the story along with his ‘Eureka!’ moments and is also the one who is often spurring the other characters into action.
Lucas – The Everyman
Out of all of the characters, Lucas had the hardest time adjusting to Eleven and her superpowers. When you think about it, this is likely how most of us would react to meeting someone who we have seen hurt other people with powers we don’t understand. Because Lucas plays the role of the character the audience can relate to, it is through him that we are included the adventure and part of the Hawkins gang.
Nancy – The Sage
It is clear right out of the gate in Season One that Nancy Wheeler has a good head on her shoulders (well, except maybe that whole abandoning Barb to sleep with Steve thing). Her natural gravitation towards journalism is evidence of her talent for investigating and problem solving. It is speculated that Nancy’s character is inspired by popular teen novel character, Nancy Drew, who was also good at piecing facts together and explaining the whole picture to the other characters.
Jonathan – The Caregiver
Without a father figure in the household, Jonathan took up the role of caregiver to look after his little brother, Will, and their mom, Joyce. It is apparent that Joyce relies heavily on Jonathan for moral support, and their relationship was likely this way long before Will went missing in the Upside Down. Jonathan is the glue that holds the family together, and he is happy to do it.
Billy & Max – The Rulers
Both of these characters fit this archetype, but for slightly different reasons. While both possess a tough demeanor and independent attitude, Billy ruled with fear while Max rules with respect. Billy got his way by intimidating others, but Max got hers by not only proving her worth beyond a reasonable doubt, but also showing that she did not require anyone’s approval. These characteristics won her mad respect from the boys and eventually Eleven as well when they became close friends in Season Three.
Will – The Explorer
Having been the first to find the Upside Down, it makes sense that Will is the explorer. Out of all the boys (and Erica), he is arguably the most enthusiastic Dungeons and Dragons player of the group, which alludes to his ambition for adventure. While exploring the Upside Down certainly wasn’t a choice of Will’s choosing, his curious mind made him a good candidate for surviving such a strange and terrifying landscape.
Steve and Erica – The Heroes
These two are definitely the most confident members of the group. Even prior to their involvement with Eleven and the Upside Down, both possessed strong personalities as well as a strong sense of self. This is a rare trait in teenagers, who are typically still in the process of finding themselves. They both protect the other members of the group without a second thought. Steve took on the role of the “unofficial babysitter” of the boys in Season Two since he was often put in charge of protecting them.
Robin – The Jester
In Season Four, Robin takes a more prominent role in the story. Her sense of humor and playfulness makes for an interesting contrast to the seriousness of Nancy, especially when they are alone together. She is often the one diffusing tense situations with clever comments or comical reactions, helping keep morale up among the rest of the characters despite the horrors they face.
Argyle – The Innocent
When Eleven and the Byers family moved to California in Season Four, Jonathan befriended Argyle, a dope-smoking pizza delivery guy with a happy-go-lucky attitude. Having yet to witness the terror that is the Upside Down, he is the innocent character. Argyle’s innocence also seemed to help Jonathan reconnect with his inner child and feel more like a typical teenager again, a feeling that had slipped away from him in the wake of the trauma caused by dealing with the disappearance of Will.
Eddie – The Outlaw
Eddie, introduced in Season Four, is the character who does what he wants, when he wants (which is probably why he still hasn’t graduated high school). He sells drugs out of his uncle’s trailer to just about anyone who asks (even the head cheerleader) and leads his own Dungeons and Dragons group, The Hellfire Club. Eddie has only one goal – to have fun – and he doesn’t let anything get in the way of that. Well…except maybe an otherworldly monster that has been inadvertently framing him for murder.
Do you agree with our character analysis of the Hawkins gang? Who is your favorite character and why? Let us know in the comment section below!